Is it normal for the upper steering column to have some play or is it me just noticing
something that has been there all along?

It's somewhere between the steering wheel bolt and the uppper mount. The steering
wheel can be rocked about a 1/8" in the vertical axis and you can feel a clunk.

The entire column between the instrument panel and the back of the steering
wheel moves with the wheel.

I know the tilt/telescope mechanism is in there, but have never noticed this
looseness.

What say you all?

 

I had a similar problem with my car and was able to reduce the free play. There is a bolt that adjusts the free play as the shaft slides forward and back with the steering column motor. I tightened this bolt and it reduced the free play in the steering column. Just do not make it to tight or the motor could strain and burn out


I did this a few years ago and don't remember exactly where it is. I removed the bottom cover of the instrument panel under the steering wheel and the upper and lower cover behind the steering wheel to get to access to it. As you look where the inner and outer shafts slide you will see it

 

Thanks for that.

I wondered about that bolt last night. I'm pretty sure it can be reached without removing the bottom panel because I have line of sight on it. I think I'll try getting at the backside nuts on the upper steering mount bolts again. I think the bolts may be captive so trying to tighten them would not accomplish anything.

 

Well, that wasn't it.

For anyone following along, there are two such adjustment bolts. 10mm head with a spring under the head.